National Electrical Code: Understanding the Electrical Safety Cycle

The Electrical Safety Cycle, built from Codes and Standards, is the first line of defense against potential electrical hazards. 

The Electrical Safety Cycle

1. Identifying the Problem

   • ​​​​Government agencies and testing laboratories provide statistics, data, and research to identify emerging safety issues

2. Identifying the Solution

   • ​​New technology is created to mitigate hazards not addressed in previous editions of the NEC

   • This technology is then tested by a third party testing laboratory to ensure safe everyday use and compliance to safety standards

3. Implementing the Code

   • ​New technology is presented to the public and technical committees for consideration in the NEC

   • New code requirements are revised by NFPA's committee on the NEC

   • Public, expert, and consumer feedback is taken and reviewed

   • Code is now complete and is presented to states for adoption

   • The majority of NEC changes are installation safety standards

4. Enforcing the Code

   • ​​The NEC is updated every 3 years

   • Electrical contractors use the NEC to ensure products are safely installed

   • Code enforcement inspections verify that installation meets code requirements